Ethiopian track star Feyisa Lilesa returned to his homeland two years after defiantly protesting the country’s leadership.
In 2016, Lilesa crossed his forearms over his head as he finished in second place at the Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, according to Al Jazeera. The gesture was a show of solidarity with rebels who were fighting a government-backed development plan for Addis Ababa. The project would have meant the seizure of farmland in the Oromia region. The skirmishes between the rebels and government forces resulted in the deaths of hundreds of Ethiopians.
Lilesa fled to the United States following his protest because he feared for his safety. He was greeted by fans, relatives and Foreign Minister Workneh Gebeyehu when he arrived in Ethiopia on Sunday.
“I knew the dictatorship would eventually fall down,” Feyisa told Reuters. “I was expecting this day but I did not know if it would be today or tomorrow, but it has been clear in my mind that I would go back to my father’s land alive.”
The April appointment of President Abiy Ahmed, who is from the Oromia region, created an environment safe enough for the 28-year-old’s return. Abiy has been on a peacemaking blitz and is being credited with facilitating goodwill with neighboring nation and longtime enemy Eritrea.
Lilesa is ready to start training again and has no interest in government affairs.
"I can still bring good results for my country in my field," he said. "I was loved by my people because I am a sportsman not because I am a politician. I only brought their suffering to global attention by using my profession."
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